Rye Jazz Festival is delighted to announce “An Evening With Jimmy Webb” one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation, together with multi-award-winning singer/song writers Ian Shaw and Liane Carroll performing on Sunday, May 5 as part of the May series of concerts at St Mary’s Church. This latest announcement completes the trio of very special concerts together with Sergio Mendes, the godfather of bossa nova on Friday, May 3 and American jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux on Saturday, May 4.
Multiple Grammy-winning songwriter Jimmy Webb is the genius behind so many hit records such as Wichita Lineman, By the Time I Get to Phoenix and Rhinestone Cowboy all of which were recorded by the legendary American country singer Glen Campbell. He also wrote the classic MacArthur Park, recorded by actor Richard Harris.
Jimmy is flying in from New York to perform in Rye for the very first time and will be joined by two special guests, festival favourites Ian Shaw and Liane Carroll who will be performing a combined opening set on the evening and joining Jimmy later in his show where they will demonstrate their own distinctive and individual songwriting and singing prowess.
Ian Bowden, festival director commented: “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to be presenting Jimmy, Ian and Liane in concert. This unique landmark show is the first in a number of concerts that the festival will be presenting to celebrate the true art of songwriting in 2019”.
“An Evening with Jimmy Webb” and his new literary memoir, “The Cake and the Rain“, gives fans of his music a unique connection to their favourite songs, revealing the stories behind his hits and a career trajectory that took a preacher’s teenage son from a farm town in Oklahoma and there will be the opportunity for you to buy a signed copy of Jimmy’s memoir on the evening of the concert.
Jimmy will deliver a humorous tour into the days and nights of a songwriting prodigy, a lesson in pop culture, an insider perspective on the Nixon Sixties, the Rat Pack heyday, the London Mods, Laurel Canyon and more, told by a charming yarn spinner who hasn’t lost sight of his roots despite decades of international fame.
More than a concert, “An Evening with Jimmy Webb” is a master class you can sing along with. As Webb performs five decades of music on this tour, the songs prove evergreen, resonating with his longtime fans as well as new devotees introduced to the music through covers by modern chart toppers including Kanye West (“Do What You Gotta Do” sung by Rhianna on “Famous”), Five for Fighting (“All I Know“), Rumer (who stormed the UK in 2012 with her take on “P.F. Sloan“) or any number of reinterpretations of “Wichita Lineman” by R.E.M., Urge Overkill, Keith Urban, Homer Simpson, and more.
Jimmy has released 10 solo albums since the 1970s, while continuing to write for other artists. His CD Just Across the River features duets on some of his biggest songs with friends Billy Joel, Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther, Glen Campbell, Lucinda Williams, Michael McDonald and Mark Knopfler.
There will be limited availability for these concerts and so to avoid disappointment we would encourage you to secure your tickets early. To book online and for further information about forthcoming festival events go to www.ryejazz.com
Image Credits: Rye Jazz & Blues Festival .